Edinburgh coach Doug Christiansen has set the bar high at the Capitals this season after admitting he has built his strongest ever squad at Murrayfield.

The Capitals have one of the smallest budgets in the league this year but have still managed to lure in three players with NHL experience including Cody Rodkowsky and Chris Allen.

Christiansen has appointed Martin Cingel as his captain again with Allen and Owen Fussey his assistants ahead of their season opener against Hull Stingrays.

And Christiansen – who claimed 52 points from 62 games last season in his player-coach role – insisted making the play-offs is a minimum requirement for Edinburgh now.

“On paper, this is the best team I have had in Edinburgh, however, the league is much better,” said Christiansen.

“How we stack up will be fun to see. There are six players in the league who have played in the NHL and we have three of them.

“During the last two seasons making the play-offs was our goal. This year I want to be in Nottingham for the final four. We need to take a big step forward as a club and this is our chance to do it.”